Frequently Asked Questions

I’m attaching a document from the US Department of Health and Human services that you can take with you. It clearly states that you have a right to treatment even without a signature (see page 2) :

HIPAA Notice The law requires your doctor, hospital, or other health care provider to ask for written proof that you received the Notice of Privacy Practices, or what they might call an “acknowledgement of receipt.” The law does not require you to sign the acknowledgement form.

If you choose not to sign, your provider must keep a record that they did not get your signature, but

they still have to treat you. If you choose to sign, you have not given up any of your rights or agreed to any special uses of your health records. You are just stating you got the Notice.

To learn more, visit www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/. 

Unfortunately, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Texas, and Wyoming have required a Real ID for quite some time. They do not provide an option for opting out of Real ID.

CCHF continues to work toward repealing the Real ID law so that this unconstitutional national ID is no longer required in any state. You can help by writing to your federal and state representatives and urging them to repeal the Real ID law.

Please visit https://refuserealid.org for helpful handouts, tools, facts, and Real ID history. Share this information with anyone you think might be interested in it.

The list of acceptable IDs is subject to change without notice. TSA strongly encourages you check this list again before traveling, so you do not arrive at the airport without acceptable ID. We recommend calling the federal facility you are planning to enter, to be sure you have an ID that is acceptable to them.

State-issued REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or identification cards

State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) or Enhanced Identification Card (EID)

Mobile Driver’s Licenses (mDLs): TSA accepts certain mDLs issued by states that have been approved for Federal use.

The mDL must be based on a REAL ID, EDL, or EID.

Approved states are listed at Participating States and Eligible Digital IDs | Transportation Security Administration

• U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)
• HSPD-12 PIV card
• Foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
• TSA is also accepting the following Digital Identification as a part of our ongoing testing efforts to strengthen identity security:
• Apple Digital ID
• Clear ID
• Google ID pass

When your switch is denied, here are some steps to follow:

1. ASK WHY: If you are in the 45 states that allow a state ID, and told that you do not have a choice, ask why.
2. RECORD THE ANSWER: Record the answer you are given, and the name of the clerk.
3. GET THE POLICY: Request a copy of the policy the clerk is using to deny the request.
4. GO HIGHER: If the clerk refuses to comply with your request (whether switching you or giving you proper documentation for the denial), ask for the manager.
5. GET THE POLICY: Ask the manager for a copy of the policy the DMV is using to deny the switch.
6. GO HIGHER: If the manager refuses, ask for the manager’s supervisor.
7. GET THE POLICY: Again, request a copy of the policy the supervisor is using for the denial.
8. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING: Refusals, comments, names, etc. (you could voice record-check state laws)
9. CHECK THE POLICY: If you receive a policy that excludes the number of the statute (law) or state regulation (rule), ask for a copy of the state law and rule that supports the denial.
10. IMPORTANT: Take note if they say that your state law (and or regulations) allow reverting back to a state ID, but they are not allowing it or no longer doing it.
11. FILE A COMPLAINT: If unsuccessful, file a report with the state Department of Transportation, and send a copy to state legislators, members of Congress, and CCHF.
12. SHARE STORY: Please share your story (success or denial) with CCHF. Your story can be used to raise awareness, bring clarity, or advance legislation to correct the situation.
13. NOTE: CCHF will never share any identifying information without your consent.

We do believe they will attempt to make that a requirement in the future. The government as well as certain other groups are already discussing a digital ID based on the REAL ID platform to authenticate identification for access to all kinds of services. REAL ID lays the groundwork for this type of nationalized ID system.

When you receive a Real ID, a biometric photo is required by Federal statute. Switching back to a state ID is less about privacy and more about control.

 Fewer people in compliance with Real ID means less Federal control. For the sake of protecting our constitutional rights and freedoms, we need to increase the number of people rejecting the Real ID. Real ID is overseen by the Department of Homeland Security and has broad application. Passports are overseen by the US. State Department and have strict laws controlling the information.

Global Entry is like a passports and TSA precheck. These are traveler systems for specific purposes, not the Internal domestic passport that REAL ID will become if we are not successful.